Chocolate Cherry Merlot Brownies

I must be in a mood, because reading this recipe makes me want to run out, buy all the ingredient, make them s & then eat the entire pan. But, at $4.21 a gallon, sanity & logic win!

Chocolate Cherry Merlot Brownies
Estimated Times:
Preparation - 20 min | Cooking - 33 min | Yields - 16 brownies

Sweeten the moment with this unique, wine lover's dessert. Bursting with merlot-soaked cherries, these fudgy brownies are bound to spark passion.

Ingredients:

* 1 1/4 cups (6-oz. pkg.) dried sweet cherries, chopped
* 1/2 cup Merlot wine
* 8 oz. NESTLÉ CHOCOLATIER™ 53% Cacao Dark Chocolate Baking Bar(s), broken into small pieces
* 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup butter, softened
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease 9-inch-square baking pan.

MICROWAVE dried cherries and wine in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute. Set aside for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain cherries; discard wine.

MICROWAVE small chocolate pieces in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds; STIR. If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted; cool to room temperature.

COMBINE flour and salt in small bowl. Beat sugar and butter in medium mixer bowl until well mixed. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in drained cherries. Spread into prepared pan.

BAKE for 33 to 37 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

NOTE: Sweetened dried cranberries can be substituted for the dried cherries.